The impact of posthepatectomy liver failure on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma

Impact of major hepatectomy on recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma at CNLC Ib stage: a propensity score matching study

OBJECTIVE

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who undergo curative hepatectomy may experience varying remnant liver volumes. Our study aimed to evaluate whether the extent of liver resection has an effect on postoperative recurrence in HCC patients at China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) Ib stage.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 197 patients who underwent hepatectomy for a solitary HCC lesion measuring ≥5 cm (CNLC Ιb stage) between January 2019 and June 2022. Patients were divided into a major hepatectomy (MAH) group ( n =70) and a minor hepatectomy (MIH) group ( n =127) based on the extent of liver resection. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to minimize bias in the retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent MAH had a greater total complication rate than those who underwent MIH (35.7 vs. 11.8%, P <0.001). The median RFS was 14.6 months (95% CI: 11.1-18.1) for the MAH group and 24.1 months (95% CI: 21.2-27.1) for the MIH group ( P <0.001). After PSM, patients who underwent MAH still had a greater total complication rate than those who underwent MIH (36.7 vs. 16.3%, P =0.037). The median RFS was 13.2 months (95% CI: 15.1-21.7) for the MAH group and 22.3 months (95% CI: 18.1-26.5) for the MIH group ( P =0.0013). The Cox regression model identified MAH as an independent poor predictor for HCC recurrence (hazard ratios of 1.826 and 2.062 before and after PSM, respectively; both P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

MIH can be performed with fewer postoperative complications and contributes to improved RFS in patients with HCC at CNLC Ιb stage compared to MAH. Parenchyma-sparing resection should be considered the first choice for these HCCs.

Albumin-Bilirubin Score at Post-Hepatectomy Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence: Impact on Survival and Association with Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure

PURPOSE

Our objective was to investigate the impact of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score at the time of post-hepatectomy hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence on survival after recurrence (SAR). We further explored the perioperative factors associated with the ALBI score at recurrence.

METHODS

Patients who underwent primary hepatectomy for HCC between 2007 and 2018 and developed recurrence were included in the study. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between the ALBI score at recurrence and SAR. Linear regression models were used to explore factors associated with ALBI score at recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 233 patients analyzed, 158 developed recurrence within the Milan criteria (RWM) and 76 developed recurrence beyond the Milan criteria (RBM). Multivariable cox regression analysis demonstrated that higher ALBI scores at recurrence were associated with poorer SAR in both RWM and RBM groups (hazard ratios 4.5, 5.0; 95% confidence intervals 2.3-8.8, 2.2-11.6, respectively). In addition, multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that higher ALBI scores at hepatectomy and post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) ≥ grade B were associated with higher ALBI scores at recurrence (β = 0.21, 0.11; 95% confidence intervals 0.15-0.26, 0.06-0.17, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The ALBI score at recurrence was a significant prognostic factor for SAR, and the ALBI scores at hepatectomy and PHLF ≥ Grade B were independently associated with the ALBI score at recurrence. Prevention of PHLF and consequent preservation of liver function at recurrence may be paramount to achieving better survival after HCC recurrence.

Current status of preoperative risk assessment for posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver resection is an effective therapeutic option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains a major cause of hepatectomy-related mortality, and the accurate prediction of PHLF based on preoperative assessment of liver functional reserve is a critical issue. The definition of PHLF proposed by the International Study Group for Liver Surgery has gained acceptance as a standard grading criterion. Liver function can be estimated using a variety of parameters, including routine blood biochemical examinations, clinical scoring systems, dynamic liver function tests, liver stiffness and fibrosis markers, and imaging studies. The Child-Pugh score and model for end-stage liver disease scores are conventionally used for estimating liver decompensation, although the alternatively developed albumin-bilirubin score shows superior performance for predicting hepatic dysfunction. Indocyanine green clearance, a dynamic liver function test mostly used in Japan and other Asian countries, serves as a quantitative estimation of liver function reserve and helps determine indications for surgical procedures according to the estimated risk of PHLF. In an attempt to improve predictive accuracy, specific evaluation of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension has gained popularity, including liver stiffness measurements using ultrasonography or magnetic resonance elastography, as well as noninvasive fibrosis markers. Imaging modalities, including Tc-99m-labeled galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, are used for preoperative evaluation in combination with liver volume. This review aims to provide an overview of the usefulness of current options for the preoperative assessment of liver function in predicting PHLF.

Prediction of Posthepatectomy Liver Failure with a Combination of Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Liver Resection Percentage

BACKGROUND

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a main cause of death after partial hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to develop a practical stratification system using the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and liver resection percentage to predict severe PHLF and conduct safe hepatectomy.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and March 2021, 361 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent partial hepatectomy were enrolled. Medical image analysis software was applied postoperatively to accurately simulate hepatectomy. The liver resection percentage was calculated as follows: (postoperatively reconstructed resected specimen volume [ml] - tumor volume [ml])/total functional liver volume (ml) × 100. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for PHLF grade B/C. A heatmap for predicting grade B/C PHLF was generated by combining the ALBI score and liver resection percentage.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients developed grade B/C PHLF; 2 of these patients (5.1%) died. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a high ALBI score and high liver resection percentage were independent predictors of severe PHLF (odds ratio [OR], 8.68, p < 0.001; OR, 1.10, p < 0.001). With a threshold PHLF probability of 50% for the heatmap, hepatectomy was performed for 346 patients meeting our criteria (95.8%) and 325 patients meeting the Makuuchi criteria (90.0%). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value for severe PHLF were 91.6% and 66.7% for our system and 91.7% and 33.3% for the Makuuchi criteria.

CONCLUSION

Our stratification system could increase the number of hepatectomy candidates and is practical for deciding the surgical indications and determining the upper limit of the liver resection percentage corresponding to each patient's liver function reserve, which could prevent PHLF and yield better postoperative outcomes.

A systematic review of prediction models for post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients undergoing liver surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the current evidence in the context of clinical prediction model for post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

METHODS

A systematic search of the English literature for a period from December 2005 to September 2020 was conducted. Primary outcome was defined using the three common PHLF criteria (50-50 criteria, peak bilirubin>7 mg/dl criteria, and ≥ grade B PHLF criteria by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery). Studies that reported the value of area under receiver operative characteristic curve (AUC) for the occurrence of PHLF were included.

RESULTS

Twenty eight of 1327 screened articles were eligible for inclusion. Eighteen studies developed the prediction models. The median AUC was found to be 0.79 (0.65-0.933). The parameters related to the amount of future liver remnant volume were most commonly identified as significant predictors for PHLF in statistical analysis (24 studies) and were most frequently incorporated in the prediction models (18 studies). The parameters associated with portal hypertension were significant for predicting PHLF in 16 studies and were adopted in the prediction models in 14 studies.

CONCLUSION

Parameters related to future liver remnant volume and portal hypertension seem to be facilitating in predicting PHLF.

Effectiveness of Albumin-bilirubin Score as a Predictor of Post-hepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Backgrounds/Aims

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a major concern for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone liver resection. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is a novel model for assessing liver function. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the ALBI score as a predictor of PHLF in HCC patients who have undergone hepatectomy in South Korea.

Methods

Between January 2014 and November 2018, HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy and indocyanine retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) test were enrolled in this study.

Results

A total of 101 patients diagnosed with HCC underwent hepatectomy. Thirty-two patients (31.7%) experienced PHLF. The ALBI score (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.22-6.55; p=0.015), ICG-R15 (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02-1.12; p=0.007) and ALBI grade (OR 2,86; 95% CI 1.08-7.58; p=0.035) were identified as independent predictors of PHLF by multivariable analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the ALBI score and ICG-R15 were 0.676 (95% CI 0.566-0.785) and 0.632 (95% CI 0.513-0.752), respectively. The optimal cutoff value of the ALBI score in predicting PHLF was -2.62, with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 56.5%.

Conclusions

The ALBI score is an effective predictor of PHLF in patients with HCC, and its predictive ability is comparable to that of ICG-R15.

Post-hepatectomy liver failure after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a single center experience

PURPOSE

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is one of the most feared morbidities after liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the incidence and predictors of PHLF after LR for HCC and its impact on survival outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed the patients who underwent LR for HCC during the period between January 2010 and 2019.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-eight patients were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of PHLF, defined according to ISGLS. The non-PHLF group included 138 patients (51.5%), while the PHLF group included 130 patients (48.5%). Two hundred forty-six patients (91.8%) had hepatitis C virus. Major liver resections were more performed in the PHLF group (40 patients (30.8%) vs. 18 patients (13%), p = 0.001). Longer operation time (3 vs. 2.5 h, p = 0.001), more blood loss (1000 vs. 500 cc, p = 0.001), and transfusions (81 patients (62.3%) vs. 52 patients (37.7%), p = 0.001) occurred in PHLF group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival rates for the non-PHLF group were 93.9%, 79.5%, and 53.9% and 73.2%, 58.7%, and 52.4% for the PHLF group, respectively (log rank, p = 0.003). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year Kaplan-Meier disease-free survival rates for the non-PHLF group were 77.7%, 42.5%, and 29.4%, and 73.3%, 42.9%, and 25.3% for the PHLF group, respectively (log rank, p = 0.925). Preoperative albumin, bilirubin, INR, and liver cirrhosis were significant predictors of PHLF in the logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Egyptian patients with HCC experienced higher PHLF incidence after LR for HCC. PHLF significantly affected the long-term survival of those patients.

Is bile leakage after hepatic resection associated with impaired long-term survival?

BACKGROUND

Bile leakage (BL) is a frequent and severe complication following liver surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for BL, related other complications and association with long-term survival.

METHODS

This study included all patients undergoing hepatectomy in a single centre from 2005 to 2016. Perioperative risk factors related to BL were identified using univariable and multivariable analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

BL occurred in 48 of 458 patients (11%). BLs were more frequent in patients after major hepatectomy (p = 0.001). Portal vein embolization, bilioenteric-anastomosis, lymphadenectomy, vascular reconstruction and operative time were significant factors for developing BL. Comparing patients with or without BL, BL was more commonly associated with other postoperative complications (p = 0.001), especially acute kidney failure and surgical-site-infections. There was no difference in 90-day-mortality (p = 0.124). The median disease-free survival was comparable (17 vs. 15 months, p = 0.976), also no difference was observed when stratifying for different tumour entities. There was no difference in median overall survival (OS) among malignant disease (35 vs. 47 months, p = 0.200) and in 3-year OS (46% vs. 59%). Multivariate analysis confirmed that postoperative liver failure and major hepatectomy were risk factors for reduced OS (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Many concerns have been raised regarding tumour progression after major complications. In this study, we only found a relevant influence of BL on OS in pCC, whereas no association was seen in other cancer types, indicating that tumour progression might be triggered by BL in cancer types arising from the bile ducts itself.

Postoperative Albumin-Bilirubin Grade Change Predicts the Prognosis of Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Within the Milan Criteria

OBJECTIVE

Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade has been validated as a simple, evidence-based, and objective prognostic tool for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, minimal information is available concerning postoperative ALBI grade changes in HCC. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of postoperative ALBI grade changes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC within the Milan criteria after liver resection.

METHODS

Patients with HBV-related HCC within the Milan criteria who underwent liver resection between 2010 and 2016 at West China Hospital were reviewed (N = 258). A change in ALBI grade was defined as first postoperative month ALBI grade-preoperative ALBI grade. If the value was >0, postoperative worsening of ALBI grade was considered; otherwise, stable ALBI grade was considered. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to determine the factors that influence recurrence and survival.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 130 patients experienced recurrence and 47 patients died. Multivariate analyses revealed that postoperative worsening of ALBI grade (HR 1.541, 95% CI 1.025-2.318, P = 0.038), microvascular invasion (MVI, HR 1.802, 95% CI 1.205-2.695, P = 0.004), and multiple tumors (HR 1.676, 95% CI 1.075-2.615, P = 0.023) were associated with postoperative recurrence, whereas MVI (HR 2.737, 95% CI 1.475-5.080, P = 0.001), postoperative worsening of ALBI grade (HR 2.268, 95% CI 1.227-4.189, P = 0.009), high alpha-fetoprotein level (HR 2.055, 95% CI 1.136-3.716, P = 0.017), and transfusion (HR 2.597, 95% CI 1.395-4.834, P = 0.003) negatively influenced long-term survival. Patients with postoperative worsening of ALBI grade exhibited increased incidence of recurrence and worse long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative worsening of ALBI grade was associated with increased recurrence and poorer overall survival for patients with HBV-related HCC within the Milan criteria. We should pay attention to liver function changes in HCC patients after liver resection.

Geriatric nutritional risk index predicts prognosis after hepatectomy in elderly patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a novel and useful screening tool for evaluating nutritional status in elderly in-patients. We aimed to investigate whether the preoperative GNRI could be a predictive factor for outcomes in patients over 65 years of age with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively enrolled 261 consecutive HCC patients after hepatectomy and classified them into four risk groups based on the GNRI values: high risk (GNRI, <82), moderate risk (GNRI, 82–92), low risk (GNRI, 92–98), and normal (GNRI, >98). We found that the lower GNRI value was significantly associated with severe postoperative complications (P < 0.001) and liver failure (P < 0.001). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, high risk- and moderate risk GNRI groups were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative serve complications and liver failure. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed preoperative GNRI (P < 0.001) adversely affected overall survival. In conclusion, preoperative GNRI could predict severe postoperative complications included liver failure, and the lower GNRI value was associated with worse overall survival after hepatectomy in elderly HCC patients.

Clinical significance of post-hepatectomy hepatic failure in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer

Backgrounds/Aims

This study attempted to identify risk factors for development of post-hepatectomy hepatic failure (PHF) and its effect on long-term survival of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective study of 143 patients who had been diagnosed with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and who had undergone hepatectomy between 2003 and 2010. We allocated these patients to PHF and non-PHF groups, using the definition of the International Study Group of Liver Surgery, and compared the clinical factors of the two groups, using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis to evaluate the differences in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between these groups.

Results

The PHF group comprised 19 patients (13.3%); all had Grade A PHF. Independent risk factors for development of PHF were metachronous liver metastases and major hepatectomy. The differences between the PHF and non-PHF groups in OS or RFS were not statistically significant; however, the PHF group tended to have a worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between OS and the factors of poor differentiation of the primary colorectal cancer, major hepatectomy, and positive resection margin.

Conclusions

Major hepatectomy is an important risk factor for PHF in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The pathological characteristics of the primary tumor are more important as predictors than is Grade A PHF.

CAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein deficiency attenuates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main causes of liver dysfunction after liver surgery. Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in various diseases has been demonstrated, and CAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) is a transcriptional regulator that is induced by ER stress. It is also a key regulator of ER stress-mediated apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CHOP in liver IRI. Wild type (WT) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein knockout (CHOP-/-) mice were subjected to 70% liver warm ischemia/reperfusion for 60 minutes. At different times after reperfusion, liver tissues and blood samples were collected for evaluation. Induction of ER stress including CHOP expression was ascertained. Liver damage was evaluated based on serum liver enzymes, liver histology, and neutrophil infiltration. Hepatocyte death including apoptosis was assessed. Liver warm IRI induced ER stress in both WT and CHOP-/- mice. In addition, CHOP expression was up-regulated in WT mice. At 6 hours after reperfusion, liver damage was attenuated in CHOP-/- mice. On the basis of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining, apoptotic and necrotic cells were significantly reduced in CHOP-/- mice. CHOP deficiency also reduced the cleavage of caspase 3 and expression of the proapoptotic protein B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein. Liver IRI induces CHOP expression, and CHOP deficiency attenuates liver IRI by inhibiting apoptosis. Elucidation of the function of CHOP in liver IRI may contribute to further investigation for a therapy against liver IRI associated with the ER stress pathway. Liver Transplantation 24 645-654 2018 AASLD.

Impaired Value of 99m Tc-GSA Scintigraphy as an Independent Risk Factor for Posthepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) was recently defined with the corresponding recommendations as follows: grade A, no change in clinical management; grade B, clinical management with noninvasive treatment; and grade C, clinical management with invasive treatment. In this study, we identified the risk factors for grade B and C PHLF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Of 339 HCC patients who underwent curative hepatic resection, 218 were included for analysis. The LHL15 index (uptake ratio of the liver to that of the liver and heart at 15 min) was measured by 99m Tc-GSA (99m technetium-labelled galactosyl human serum albumin); remnant LHL15 was calculated as LHL15 × [1 - (resected liver weight - tumor volume)/whole liver volume without tumor].

RESULTS

A total of 163 patients were classified as having no PHLF, whereas 17, 37, and 1 patient had PHLF grade A, B, and C, respectively. There were significant differences in indocyanine green R15, serum albumin, prothrombin time, Child-Pugh classification, LHL15 and remnant LHL15 between patients with grades B/C PHLF and patients with grade A or no PHLF. Only remnant LHL15 was identified as an independent risk factor for grades B/C PHLF (p = 0.023), with a cut-off value of 0.755.

CONCLUSIONS

Remnant LHL15 was an independent risk factor for grades B/C PHLF. Patients with impaired remnant LHL15 value of <0.755 should be carefully monitored for PHLF.

Phase I clinical trial of olprinone in liver surgery

PURPOSE

Post-hepatectomy liver failure is one of the most serious complications liver surgeons must overcome. We previously examined olprinone, a selective phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and demonstrated its hepatoprotective effects in rats and pigs. We herein report the results of a phase I clinical trial of olprinone in liver surgery (UMIN000004975).

METHODS

Twenty-three patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2011 and 2015 were prospectively registered. In the first 6 cases, olprinone (0.1 μg/kg/min) was administered for 24 h from the start of surgery. In the remaining 17 cases, olprinone (0.05 μg/kg/min) was administered from the start of surgery until just before the transection of the liver parenchyma. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoint was efficacy. For the evaluation of efficacy, the incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure in 20 hepatocellular carcinoma patients was externally compared with 20 propensity score-matched patients.

RESULTS

No intraoperative side effects were observed, and the morbidity rates in the analyzed cohorts were acceptable. The rate of post-hepatectomy liver failure frequency tended to be lower in the olprinone group.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety of olprinone in liver surgery was confirmed. The efficacy of olprinone will be re-evaluated in clinical trials.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombus: surgical outcomes and the prognostic impact of concomitant major vascular invasion

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to clarify the long-term surgical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) and to identify a therapeutic strategy for this condition.

METHODS

Forty-four patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC with BDTT or direct invasion involving the first branches of the bile duct or common hepatic duct were enrolled in this study. The overall survival time and time to recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median survival time and the 5-year survival rate were 23.7 months and 31.0%, respectively. Child-Pugh classification B [hazard ratio (HR) 4.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.97-11.65], major vascular invasion (MVI; HR 2.79; 95% CI 1.14-6.87), and serosal invasion (HR 2.71; 95% CI 1.19-6.02) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The median survival times were 12.3 and 72.3 months for the patients with and without MVI, respectively. Among the 41 patients who underwent macroscopic curative resection, the median time to recurrence and the 5-year recurrence rate were 8.6 months and 85.6%, respectively. MVI was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrence (HR 3.31; 95% CI 1.55-7.05). The median times to recurrence were 3.7 and 11.6 months for the patients with and without MVI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant MVI was a strong prognostic factor in the setting of HCC with BDTT. Extended hepatectomy provided a good prognosis for the patients with BDTT alone without MVI.